Posted by:
Mike Lynch on
April 13, 2007 at
4:22PM EST
Exactly one half century ago tonight the Boston Celtics won the first of their 16 NBA World Championships! It was the rookie season for Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn and KC Jones. It was April 13, 1957 - Celtics and St. Louis Hawks in a seven game series for the ages. If this series was played in the past 5 years it would have been labelled as the greatest series of all time. Game one and game seven both went to double overtime. Despite an ice cold shooting night from future Hall of Famers Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, the Celtics got a huge night from Russell and Heinsohn. Check out these numbers. Russell - 19 points, 32 REBOUNDS! and 5 blocked shots. Heinsohn - 37 points and 23 REBOUNDS! All in a seventh game no less. At the time they had no idea they were on the precipice of a dynasty that would produce 11 championships in the next 13 seasons, a feat that will never be matched again in any sport. So when you are going ga-ga over Kobe and LaBron and other stars of this era, think about what this team accomplished that night and what followed for more than three decades. Its worthy of a celebration, Boston style. How are the Celtics recognizing the anniversary? They held a luncheon to honor the team. Trot these guys out in front of the crowd and a generation of fans that has no sniff about a playoff game, let alone a seven game series and an NBA title. Happy Anniversary 1956-57 Celtics!
